There’s nothing quite as satisfying as cleaning your house. The fresh smells, the sparkling countertops, the smudge-free mirrors, and so much more. But unfortunately, in your efforts to get rid of dirt and muck, you actually end up introducing harmful toxins into your home, which are also linked to increased cancer risk. Where do these harmful toxins come from? Common cleaning products.

A 2010 study published in Environmental Health observed close to 800 women, all of whom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. In interviews, researchers asked participants about their use of household cleaning and pesticide products.

What they found is that the risk for developing breast cancer doubled in the women who reported using the most products.

But why is that?

Chemicals in mold and mildew cleaners and air fresheners are believed to be the culprit. That’s because they contain chemicals like “synthetic musks, phthalates, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, terpenes, benzene and styrene and some antimicrobial agents.”

Now, if you’re like most people, you’re probably not familiar with these chemicals, let alone the damage they can cause to the human body. But Dr. Mercola helps to explain them in layman’s terms.

Synthetic musks are believed to be endocrine disruptors, and can therefore interrupt hormonal balance.

Phthalates can have very disturbing effects, including causing damage to the reproductive system, organs, immunity, endocrine system and more.

• 1,4-dichlorobenzene is known to be a toxic substance for organs throughout the body.
• Terpenes help to produce substances similar to carcinogens.
• Benzene is an established human carcinogen.
• Styrene is a common chemical, but it’s linked to cancer, organ toxicity and more.

So, if you like to keep your house spic and span, consider checking the cleaning products you use. This way you can keep your home clean and your body healthy.